RSS feeds are an appetizing way for me to manage students blogs efficiently and certainly warrants further study. I think the biggest issue with student blogging, other than online safety, is how in the world I will be able to follow all of the activity. With RSS feeds, it would appear that this question will be answered. In general, I like the fact that information comes to me at one source, so hopefully I will be able to better manage my time.
But as the issue of time rears its ugly head again, I am still uncertain as to a course of action with using all of the new tools we are learning. I could easily spend every waking moment grading essays, and now I am being taken further outside my comfort zone and challenged to be even more connected. The beauty of this graduate program is that it introduces me to many new tools that can be used in the classroom, and although a seemingly daunting task, I know enough to be patient with myself and not try to do everything at once. I will spend time learning how to use these tools, and hopefully will be able to incorporate many of them in my classroom over time.
The photo sharing assignment is one that has me most befuddled. I know in one sense I should store my photos online in case of a catastrophic computer failure, but I have difficulty thinking of ways to use photo sharing in my classroom. This thinking stems from the fact that my photos are personal in nature, so I might be a bit close minded when it comes to creating assignments for my students using photo sharing. Perhaps as I struggle through the process of using online photo sharing classroom ideas will present themselves, but it is too early to determine whether or not that will be true.
I am still struggling with the microblogging idea. I was on the verge of creating my first online posting, but I recanted before saving. I am not one to share personal thoughts outside of my immediate family, and although I know that microblogging can be a great way to share educational ideas, I still can't wrap my mind around why it will be a benefit for my classroom.
I loved the debate on the video we watched, and it addressed what I have been thinking for a long time. We don't know what the future will bring, so it is difficult to get individuals on the same page concerning how to plan for its arrival. I love the fact the educators need to change, or at least challenge, personal teaching methodologies, but this dialogue is a challenge due to stubbornness on our parts. We may acknowledge the need for change, but no one is standing in line to relive the process of reinventing our curriculum. Student teaching was difficult enough the when we didn't know anything, so asking teachers to revamp what they do puts them in the vulnerable position that they were in while they learned their craft.
But as we continue to develop our craft, we should look for new ways to engage out students. RSS feeds and photo sharing might be two avenues to reach our students, and allow them the ability to not only receive relevant information, but to unleash their creative potential.
Ryan, I agree with your assessment of the fact that some of these ideas might be good for our personal lives, but we might not want to add them to our classrooms. Because most of my pictures are also of a personal nature, I do not see a need to share photos with my students. And, I cannot think of reasons why they would want to share photos with me outside of a presentation. And, I think that microblogging is over the top. My friends know what is going on, and others don't care, or should not care, to know! I will really have to think about how I could actually use something like Twitter in my classroom.
ReplyDeletePhoto sharing would be difficult to use in the classroom. I would be interested in hearing ideas about how this could be utilized. I also think that it is great that you can utilize all of your student blogs on a RSS feed. I did not see a way to reply to those blogs from the RSS feed. Did I miss it. Otherwise, it would kinda suck that you would have to go to the individual site to respond.
ReplyDeleteAs a middle school teacher, I find myself taking pictures far more often than I ever did as a high school teacher. This has to do with the focus on social aptitude in the middle school promoting more social sharing. A high school focus in much more academic and the time for the social aspect takes a burner two rows back.
ReplyDeleteI get enough pictures in a year that I have made a folder that I have shared with the kids. They use the pictures for their portfolios, creative presentations and documents, and for personal sharing.